Episode Title: No Tech Degree Needed with Meryl van der Merwe
Podcast: The Homeschool Curious PodcastHost: Morgan BergstromGuest: Meryl van der Merwe, founder of Fundafunda Academy and host of Homeschooling with Technology podcast




Episode Summary
Can you homeschool confidently in today’s tech-driven world—without a tech degree? Absolutely. In this energizing episode of The Homeschool Curious Podcast, host Morgan Bergstrom sits down with veteran homeschool mom and tech-savvy educator Meryl van der Merwe to explore how families can use everyday technology to make learning more engaging, flexible, and future-focused.
Meryl shares her journey from reluctant homeschooler to digital innovator, revealing how she turned free tools like Google Maps, Canva, live webcams, and even AI into powerful teaching allies. Her message to parents is simple but profound: you don’t need to be an expert to raise curious, capable, tech-ready kids—just willing to learn alongside them.

What You’ll Learn


Necessity sparked innovation: Meryl began homeschooling because of limited school options, but it became a passion for lifelong learning.


Homeschool success stories: Her kids earned college acceptances, proving that homeschoolers can thrive academically with creativity and consistency.


Tech as a co-teacher: Discover how tools like Google Earth and AI writing assistants make lessons interactive and real-world relevant.


Free tools, big impact: Turn everyday apps like Canva and Google Maps into virtual field trips and creative project studios.


Creativity over memorization: The future belongs to problem-solvers—so let your kids design, build, and explore their way to understanding.


Parent as learner: You don’t need to know it all—just model curiosity, flexibility, and a growth mindset.


Perfect For


Parents who feel “non-techy” but want to introduce digital tools with confidence


Families looking for creative, hands-on learning ideas


Anyone preparing their kids for a tech-driven future while keeping education personal and purposeful


Resources Mentioned


Fundafunda Academy – Online classes for homeschoolers in coding, science, graphic design, and more


Homeschooling with Technology Podcast – Meryl’s show offering 15-minute tech tips for homeschool parents


Tools: Google Maps, Google Earth, Canva, AI writing tools, and live webcams for real-time exploration


Key Quote

“You don’t have to be a tech expert to help your kids thrive—you just need to be curious enough to explore the tools together.” – Meryl van der Merwe




Watch or Listen
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